Improvement in car-couplings



R. D. OHATTERTON. Gar-Coupling.

No. 205,838. Patented July 9,1878.

N. PETERS, PNOTO-LITHOGRAPHEFL WASHINGTON U C UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RICHARD D. OHATTERTON, OF OOBOURG, ONTARIO, CANADA.

IMPROVEMENT IN CAR-COUPLINGS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 205,838, dated July 9, 1878; application filed June 4, 1878.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RICHARD DOVER CHATTERTON, of Oobourg, in the Province of Ontario and Dominion of Canada, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Car- Oouplings, of which the following is a specification:

Using an ordinary railway draw head, I substitute for the central holding-pin two vertical side jaws within the mouth-piece, and for the link a strong loose iron bar having at its connecting end a stout spiral or screw-pointed arrow-head of suflicient size to contain within it an opening or small link for convenience in coupling, when necessary, with cars fitted with a common link and pin. At the other end of said bar is an eccentric counterpoise-weight, which, in coupling, is turned up edgewise by the partial rotation of the bar from the action of the screw until its head passes between the holding-jaws, and then is instantly restored to its holding position by gravity. A chain attached to the counter-weight is employed to draw it up to release the head in uncoupling.

In order that my invention may be clearly understood, I will proceed to describe it with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a drawhead with the coupling-bar in position. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of two draw-heads connected by the coupling-bar. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the coupling-bar detached.

A A are two draw-heads provided with holding-jaws, one of which may be stationary, as at a. The other is preferably in the form of a vertical removable pin, 1). O is my improved coupling-bar, constructed with a spiral or screw-shaped arrow-head, 0, adapted to enter between the jaws a b, turning the bar 0 in so doing, and, when the bar turns back to its normal position, to catch and hold securely behind said jaws. To cause the bar to automatically assume and retain this locked position, its rear end is constructed with an eccentric counterpoise-weight, c. D represents a slot or hole in the head 0 of the bar to adapt it to receive a common coupling-pin when used with a car not provided with my improved coupling. E is a chain or cord extending obliquely upward through an opening in the draw-head, and carried to the top or side of the car for use to turn up the counter-Weight 0, thereby turning the holding-shoulders of the head 0 into vertical position and permitting the head to be withdrawn freely from the draw-head A.

The removal of the pin 1) permits the passage of the counter-weight 0', so that the bar may be taken completely out for changing it from one draw-head to another, or for repairs or any other purpose. In ordinary use the pin b is not disturbed. The counter-weight 0 serves also to support the bar in horizontal position in readiness to enter the draw-head.

My improved coupling is cheap, simple, durable, and sure, and operates easily and effectively, even with cars of varying height.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new therein, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The bar 0, constructed and operating as described, with spiral or screw-shaped arrowhead 0 and counter-weight c, in combination with the draw-head A, provided with jaws a b, one removable, as and for the purposes set forth.

2. The combination of the bar 0, constructed with spiral arrow-head cand counter-weight c, the draw-heads A A, provided with holdingjaws a b, and the chain E for turning the draw-bar to release it, all substantially as herein described.

I. D. CHATTERTON.

VVitn csscs:

R. RUTTAN, Ron BUCK. 

